There’s something about coffee cake and a hot cup of coffee that feels right at home in Stars Hollow. This easy cinnamon streusel coffee cake is my first recipe in a little Gilmore Girls–inspired series, filled with cozy recipes and fun foods inspired by one of my favorite comfort shows.

The cake is soft and buttery with cinnamon sugar running through it and plenty of crumbly streusel on top. It uses simple ingredients you probably already have around the kitchen, and there’s no complicated decorating or fancy equipment involved. Just slice it up, pour a very large cup of coffee and pretend you have nowhere to be except Luke’s.

Ingredients

Coffee Cake

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup sour cream

Cinnamon Streusel

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• Pinch of salt
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Cinnamon Sugar Filling

• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8×8-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
2. Make the streusel by stirring together flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Pour in melted butter and mix with a fork until large crumbs form. Set aside.
3. In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon for the filling. Set aside.
4. In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla and whisk until smooth. Stir in sour cream.
5. Add flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Stir just until combined. Don’t overmix.
6. Spread half of the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar filling evenly over the batter.
7. Carefully spread the remaining batter over the cinnamon layer. Sprinkle the streusel generously over the top.
8. Bake for 38–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
9. Let cool for about 15 minutes before slicing.

Makes: 9 generous pieces
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 38–45 minutes

Easy Tip

Sour cream is what gives this coffee cake its soft, moist texture. Full-fat Greek yogurt can be substituted if that’s what you have on hand.

This is an unofficial fan-inspired recipe and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the creators, producers or rights holders of Gilmore Girls.